Purpose of Daniel

One can discover a multitude of purposes for this book from
the lists above. I believe the primary purpose of the book of
Daniel is to reveal God’s sovereign rule over five kingdoms
and their princes. In doing so, it provides God’s blueprint of
history from the fall of Jerusalem until the establishment of
the everlasting kingdom of the Messiah, who is unveiled as
“one like a Son of Man.”

With the fall of Jerusalem
and the exile of Judah, questions arose as to Yahweh’s power
and place among the so-called deities of this world. This book
vindicates Yahweh’s power, honor and glory, which is summed up
best by King Nebuchadnezzar.

Then I praised the Most
High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His
dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from
generation to generation. All the peoples of the earth are
regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of
heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his
hand or say to him: “What have you done?” At the same time
that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were
returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and
nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and
became even greater than before. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise
and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything
he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk
in pride he is able to humble (Daniel 4:34-37).

Historically, the knowledge that Yahweh is sovereign over the
nations has been beneficial for Israel. In the second century
B.C., it was this knowledge gleaned from Daniel that bolstered
the confidence of the Jews. It provided them with a breath of
hope while under the persecutions of Antiochus IV
Epiphanes. One can anticipate that it will have a similar
affect in the last days when the Wilful King attempts to
destroy the nation of Israel and the Tribulation saints.
Today, this book challenges us to look beyond our own present
circumstances and to rely upon the Most High.